Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
“What about you? Anything riveting in the world of pediatrics?” I ask her. My mom is a nurse and has worked at the same pediatrician’s office since before I was born. She loves what she does.
“Nothing new. Just waiting on my kids to make me a grandma.”
“Everly’s getting married soon. You might get your wish.”
“What about you? Seeing anyone?”
“I promise you, when that happens, you’ll be the first to know.”
“I’m your mother, Knox. I can see right through your pretty lies, but I’ll pretend I don’t.” She chuckles.
“It’s hard to meet someone who wants me for me, you know?” We’ve had this conversation before, but it deserves to be repeated. I’ve played with too many guys who get sucked into a relationship with kids, and the woman leaves him for someone else. He was a meal ticket to support her.
On the flip side, some guys on the team have multiple kids with multiple women and don’t seem to care. I’m the opposite. I want someone who wants me. Not Knox, the quarterback. Just Knox, the man. In a perfect world, they’d also love the game, or at least support my love for football. Finding her is like finding a needle in a haystack. My thoughts instantly flash to Corie, but I shove her back in the “do not touch or think about” box and slam the lid.
“I know, but you’ll never find her if you don’t start looking.”
“You weren’t looking for Dad, and Dad wasn’t looking,” I remind her.
“No, we weren’t looking, but fate brought us together.”
“We’re not all that lucky,” I remind her.
“I’m not pressuring you, but I want to see all my kids happy.”
“Do I not seem happy?”
“You do, but there is so much more to life than work. We both know all too well that tomorrow isn’t promised for any of us. I want you to experience what it’s like to love someone so unapologetically that it consumes you. I want you to be able to hold your son or daughter in your arms and watch them learn and grow. I want that for you and your sisters.”
“I know, Mom.” I feel my throat tighten with emotion.
“I love you, Knox Alexander Beckett.”
“I love you, too.”
“All right, I didn’t mean for this call to get so deep.” She laughs. “I miss you. I love you, and be safe out there, son.”
“I miss you, too, love you more, and always am.”
“Night, kiddo.”
“Night, Mom.” I end the call with a smile on my face. I do have the best parents and the biggest support group. There are a lot of guys on the team who don’t have that, and I know how fortunate I am. I also know what it looks like to be in love because of my parents, their friends, my aunt Reagan, and Uncle Tyler. I grew up watching all five couples love so deeply, it’s in everything they do.
I hope that I’m lucky enough to find that. However, I know I’ve lived an extraordinary life if I don't. I have an incredible family and a career that I live for. I have no complaints, and I know how rare that is.
Chapter Eight
Corie
* * *
With my shoulders squared and head held high, I make my way to the players’ entrance to the stadium. That's where Knox told me to wait for Sally, the director of human resources, for my interview today.
My insides are twisted in a knot, but I don’t let that show. On the outside, I have an air of confidence. Fake it until you make it, right? The nerves are worse because this is my first interview after applying for what feels like thousands of jobs. That’s the biggest reason, and then there’s the fact that both Knox and Landry put in a good word for me. I don’t want to let either of them down.
Stepping up to the door, I try the handle, and it turns, allowing me to push open the door. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it’s not a beautiful middle-aged woman with blonde hair to be standing there with a smile on her face.
“Corie?”
“That’s me.” I wave and offer her a smile.
“So nice to meet you. I’m Sally.” She steps forward and offers me her hand. “I can see the resemblance,” she says, and my shoulders fall just a little. I don’t want this job because of who my brother is.
“Family curse,” I say, hoping I’m hiding the disappointment in my voice.
“Landry and Knox might have put you on my radar, but I won’t offer you the job because of who they are.” Her smile tells me she sees right through me.
“Thank you.” I feel my shoulders relax. “While I appreciate both of them for helping guide me to this opportunity, I need to make it on my own. Just like I keep telling Landry, I have to be able to stand on my own two feet.”